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THE BURGIS VIEWS OF NEW YORK AND 
BOSTON. 

A paper read before the Bostonian Society, by John H. Edmonds, 
at a Special Meeting held February 17, 1914. ' 

In August, 191 3, the newspapers of New York and Boston 
were full of rumors of the sale by Robert Fridenberg to a 
well-known New York collector, whose name was withheld, 
of " the only known perfect copy, in the first state, of the 
exceedingly rare Burgis View of New York City in 1717," 
for ^20,000. 

The statement then given out was that it had been brought 
to this country by an English family, who first settled in the 
East, and about forty years ago removed to Iowa, where it 
was eventually offered to a Cedar Rapids dealer. He took 
it to Philadelphia to sell, but failing there, went to New York 
and finally sold it to Mr. Fridenberg. 

The View was " A South Prospect of y^ Flourishing City 
of New York in the Province of New York in North Amer- 
ica," with a dedication reading, "To His Excellency Robert 
Hunter Esq'^ Captain General and Governour in Chief of 
the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Territories 
depending thereon in America and Vice Admirall of the 
Same This South Prospect of the City of New York is most 
Humbly dedicated by your Excellency's most Humble & 
obedient serv^i William Burgis." It is inscribed " W. Burgis 
Deli[niavi]t et Excud[i]' Subscriptione Incolarum " and " I. 
Harris fee [it]," meaning that W. Burgis drew and printed 
it by subscription of the inhabitants and I. Harris engraved 
it. It is adorned with the canting coat of arms of Governor 
Hunter, the Province and City Seals, carelessly copied. It 
bears the date of 171 7 in the Province Seal, and this has 
always been assumed as the date of the view. It is in four 

Note. — Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, 191 5. 










THE BURGIS VIEW OF BOSTO , |723, WITH CORRECTIONS TO 1736 

(Reduced reproduction from the ongn i in the Crown Collection, British Museum.) 



^13 

separate sheets, measuring in its entirety 28 inches high by 
78 inches wide. 

As usual, in such cases, the story began to grow and, as 
comparatively little was generally known of Burgis or his 
work, almost any statement was accepted without comment. 
Among the many such I find, first, "that it was the first 
view of New York City to be engraved within its borders 
and was doubtless accurately drawn from nature by the 
artist." Of course it was drawn in America, but from what 
else but nature would the artist have drawn it, if he was then 
present in New York soliciting subscriptions. It is equally 
certain that it was engraved by John Harris of London, and 
it is highly improbable that he ever worked in America. 
John Harris, as an engraver, flourished in London from 1680 
to 1740, and it has been suggested that there were two of 
them, possibly father and son. John Harris also engraved 
the Burgis View of Boston, 1723, which was '^ sent to Lofidon 
to be engraved by the best hand!' Under these circumstances, 
unless it can be proved beyond question that the New York 
View was engraved in America, it must have been engraved 
in London. Secondly, as to its rarity, admitting the existence 
of only one other copy of the first state generally known ; the 
known copies of the second state were limited to two, when 
with a slight search, four and possibly more, could be located. 
Thirdly, the publisher of the restrike was accused of piracy 
when it was an open question whether or not this was so. 
Fourthly, " Of the artist William Burgis absolutely nothing 
is known — no facts can be dug out concerning the man or 
his life other than the trivial record left on the prints them- 
selves." This last statement was a sad one to me, as some 
eight years ago, following in the steps of Miss Mary Farwell 
Ayer and Justin Winsor, I had prepared a paper on the Bur- 
gis-Price View of Boston, which threw considerable light upon 
him. It was duly read before the Colonial Society of Massa- 
chusetts and published in their Transactions, vol. 11, pp. 
245-262. 



Aaihoi 
JUN 7 /8i5 



The Burgis View is without doubt the rarest and largest 
of the early views of New York. With the exception of the 
copy above referred to, now in the possession of Mr. Edward 
W. C. Arnold of New York, the only copy, of the first state, 
known to me is that in possession of the New York Histori- 
cal Society, which is unfortunately imperfect, lacking title, 
key and legend. It is in four sheets joined in one, and is 
24^ inches high by 78 inches wide. A much reduced re- 
production of it is in the illustrated edition of Fiske's Dutch 
and Quaker Colonies, 1903, vol. 2, p. 230. 

Since the reappearance of the first state of the New York 
View, some eighteen years ago, it has always been claimed 
that the date of issue was 17 17, as found between Rex and 
Georgius in the Province Seal, but there is some doubt of 
the fact. Of the six other known works with which Burgis's 
name is associated, none bear a date of issue, but it can usu- 
ally be determined by advertisements announcing them. Of 
this View, no advertisement is found in the known copies of 
Newsletter, Gazette or Mercury, from January i, 17 16/17, 
until February 20, 1721/22. Robert Hunter, to whom it 
was dedicated, was Governor of New York, from 17 10 to 
17 19, being succeeded by William Burnet. On October 11, 
1717, the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations 
wrote to Governor Hunter that '* His Majesty having signed 
... a Warrant for using a New Seal for the Province of New 
York . . . We herewith transmitt to you the said Warrant and 
Seal." In Council, New York, July i, 1718, His Excellency 
communicated the same, and on July 7, 171 8, he wrote to 
the Lords Commissioners that ** By Hopkins I have received 
the New Seals and with this your Lordships will receive the 
old one of this Province, broke In Council, according to His 
Majestys Commands." A ceremony which has been per- 
formed in this very room, in presence of the Governor and 
Council and in the first Town House as well. 

The Province Seal is unquestionably a careless copy of the 
new Seal sent October 11, 1717, but not received until July 



I, 17 18. Bearing these dates in mind and the fact that the 
date appears (though wrongfully) in the Province Seal, are 
we justified in assuming 171 7 as the date of issue ? 

It has been stated that the first mention of this View is in 
the "Manuscript Annals of Philadelphia," which tells of a 
notice in the Afercury in 1721. This was an advertisement 
which ran in the American Weekly Mercury, " Philadelphia, 
Printed and Sold by Andrew Bradford at the Bible in Second 
Street, And also by William Bradford in New York where 
advertisements are taken in," from February 20, to March 
22, 1721/22, as follows : — 

" A Curious Prospect of the City of New- York, on 4 Sheets 
of Royal Paper, to be sold by Andrew Bradford." 

This was followed in the New England Courant, August 
20 to September 3, 1722, by: — 

" To be sold at the Picture Shop over against [opposite] 
the Town-House in Boston, an exact Prospect of the City of 
New York, with all Sorts of Prints and Maps, lately come 
from London, in frames or without by Will. Price." 

Thomas Selby, landlord of Burgis, and his associate, with 
William Price, in the Boston View, died September 19, 1727. 
His inventory includes : — 

" Two Prospect glasses, one brush for clothes, one map of 
New York, one pair of bellows £,2 — 5 — o." 

Governor William Burnet died in Boston, September 7, 
1729. His inventory, filed in Boston, October 13, 1729, in- 
cludes : — 

" Prospect of New York 10/ Ditto of Boston 10/" 

The Prospect of Boston being first valued at twenty shil- 
lings and then reduced to ten to agree with New York. 

A restrike was made from the original plates with addi- 
tions and corrections by Thomas Bakewell of London, pub- 
lished March 25, 1746. He substituted his dedication "To 
his Excellency George Clinton Esq*". Captain General and 
Governour in Chief " etc., the Clinton Arms in the place of 
the Hunter Arms and 1747 in the Province Seal in place of 



I7I7- Either Time or he erased " W. Burgis Deli*, et Ecud* 
Subscriptione Incolarum " from the extreme lower left corner 
below the legend but "I. Harris fee." at the lower right cor- 
ner of the view, above the legend still remains. 

Of the restrike, four complete copies are known to me, 
being in possession of the New York Historical Society, the 
New York Society Library, the British Museum and Mr. I. 
N. Phelps Stokes of New York. This state has been repro- 
duced in Valentine's " Manual of the Corporation of the City 
of New York," 1849, P- 26; Wilson's "Memorial History of 
New York," vol. 2, p. 268 ; Winsor's " Narrative and Critical 
History of America," vol. 5, p. 248 ; the New York Times, 
August 24, 19 1 3, and elsewhere. A more detailed account 
of this view, its states and known copies will be found in Mr. 
Stokes's forthcoming book *' The Iconography of Manhattan 
Island." 

The Burgis New York has a curious parallel in his " A 
South East View of y* Great Town of Boston in New En- 
gland in America," drawn in 1723, " W. Burgis Delin." and 
" I. Harris Sculp." The dedication, to Governor Shute, who 
ran away from his Government to England, January i, 
1722/23, placed between the Royal Arms and those of the 
Governor, is as follows : — 

" To the Honbie; Sam»: Shute Esq"". Cap*. General & GoV. 
in Chief of his Maj^y^ Provinces of the Massachusetts Bay & 
New Hampshire in New England and Vice Admiral of the 
same. This Prospect of the Town of Boston is humbly dedi- 
cated by yo''. Hon", most Obed*. Hum^«. Serv^. 

Tho^ Selby 
Willi". Price." 

Directly under the title is a key of fifty references, reading 
from the Neck to the North End : — 

"No. I Fortification. 2 Gibbin's Ship yard. 3 Roxbury 
Flatts [the Back Bay]. 4 New South meeting-house, built 



iyi6. 5 Ede's Ship yard. 6 Fort hill. 7 South Battery. 
8 Gale's Ship yard. 9 Governor's house [without the In- 
dian]. 10 South meeting-house, built 1669. 11 French 
meeting, built 17 16. 12 Wing's Ship Yard. 13 Mf [John] 
Barne's house [built of wood in 1721, set 80 feet back from 
Beacon St. and later the Bowdoin mansion]. 14 Kings Chap- 
pel, founded 1688. 15 Beacon hill [showing the beacon]. 
16 Mf Miles house [Rector of "Kings Chappel"]. 17 Mr 
Faneuil's house [adjoining Mr. Miles's]. 18 Holloway's 
[Ship] yard. 19 Greenleafe [Ship] yard. 20 the old meeting- 
house, built 1630 [adjoining Price's store, the building shown 
having been built of brick in 17 12/13 ^o replace that burnt 
in the fire of 171 1, built in 1640 of wood, being the second 
location of the First Church]. 21 Mr. Phillips house. 22 
Quaker's meeting, built 17 10 [Congress St.]. 23 Town 
house. 24 Old Wharfe [Barracado, built in 1672 to keep an 
enemy from burning the Town]. 25 Thomas Selby's Coffee- 
house [at the head of Long Wharf, and later run by William 
Burgis]. 26 Long Wharfe. 27 Brattle Street meeting, built 
1699. 28 Lee's Ship yard. 29 MF Clark's house. 30 Ana- 
baptist meeting, built 1680 [extending over the Mill Pond for 
obvious reasons]. 31 New brick meeting, built 1721. 32 
Sear's Ship yard. 33 Mf W^ Clark [Frankland] & M"" 
Hutcheson's houses. 34 Clark Ship yard. 35 Old North 
Meeting, built 1650. 36 Clark's Wharf. 37 Co! Hutch- 
eson's house. 38 Gill's Ship yard. 39 Greenwood & 
Grant's Ship yard. 40 Christ Church, founded 1723 [first 
service held in it Dec. 29, 1723, then without tower or spire. 
The spire was not erected till 1740 from plans furnished by 
William Price. Yet the Church is plainly shown with a fine 
spire, surmounted by a large plain Latin cross, much better 
in appearance than the spire on the Price restrike of 1743]. 
41 Mf [John] Ruck's house. 42 New north meeting, built 
1 7 14. 43 Winnisimet Ferry. 44 North Battery. 45 Thorn- 
ton's Ship yard. 46 Clark Junf® Ship yard. 47 Cap* 
[William] Greenough's house & [Ship] yard. 48 Charles 



River. 49 Baker's Ship yard. 50 the Station Ship [H. M. 
S. Seahorse, Cap* Durell]. 

On either side of the key is a flattering description of Boston 
(then the fourth port in Great Britain), its business and com- 
merce, which in a way accounts for the immense amount of 
shipping in the foreground. This may seem overdone, but, 
for example, in the small harbor of Marblehead on September 
16, 1727, were driven ashore in a gale, three ships, a brigan- 
tine and twenty-three schooners, sloops and shallops, not to 
say anything about those who did not drag their anchors. 
Among the shipping on the view will be found a schooner, 
which is its first portrayal in a view originating in America, 
and if tradition be true only about a decade after the incep- 
tion of that rig at Cape Ann, and two years after H, M. 
Schooner William Augustus was built at one of the fifteen 
ship-yards shown on the view. The description of Boston is 
as follows : — 

" Boston, the Capital of New England, and Mistress of 
North America, is pleasantly Sittuated upon a Peninsula, 
about 4 Miles in Compass, in the Lat : of 42 & 24 North and 
71 Degrees West from London ; the Variation of the Needle 
about 9 Degrees West. It Stands at the Bottom of a large 
Bay, which (by being defended from the Ocean by a great 
Number of Delightfull Islands) may be Reckoned among the 
Safest and most Cornodious Harbours in the known World. 
There are in this Town a very great Number of good Wharfes, 
at which Ships and Small Vessels unlade, without the help 
of Boats or Lighters ; the Chief of which is the Long Wharfe, 
Ruriing above 1600 foot [rather 1800] into the Harbour, and 
having a very handsome Row of Store Houses upon the 
North Side of it the Number of Houses in this Town is about 
3200 one third of which are built of Brick, the rest of Tim- 
ber and Stone. Streets, lanes and Alleys 104, the most of 
which are well paved with Pebbles. Inhabitants about 16000. 



[Census of 1742, 16382 souls, including 1374 negroes; 1719 
houses, 166 warehouses]. In the year 1723, there were built 
in New England (According to the best Acco*^. we Can gett) 
above 700 Sail of Ships, Brigatines, Sloops, Schooners, Wood- 
Boats, &c. 200 of which may be Reckoned from 100 to 200 
Tons Each ; The greatest Number of which Vessells are 
either fitted at Boston, or Receive the Materials from thence, 
with which they are fitted. There are in one Year Cleared 
out of this Port above 1000 Sail of Vessels, which may fully 
Shew the great Trade of the Place. [The actual figures for 
1730, were entered 533, cleared 628.] New England (of 
which Boston is the head or principal Town) is become one 
of the most Delightfull Countrys in the World ; the Winter 
being now Moderate and pleasant by Reason of the Clearing 
of the Woods ; in the West and North West parts of the in- 
land Countrys, the air is Exceedingly Clear and pleasant, 
Perfectly well Agreeing with the English Constitutions ; for 
which Reason the Gentlemen of the West India Islands often 
go thither to Recover their Healths : it abounds with great 
Variety of forest Trees, and fruit Trees ; their are also Grape- 
vines, (Natural to the Country) ; Fish of all Sorts, Either 
from the Salt or fresh Water ; Cattle of all Sorts, This Plan- 
tation also furnishes Masts, and divers other Navall Stores 
for the Royall Navy, and Expends great Quantitys of the 
Woollen and other Manufactories of Great Britain, and Sup- 
plys the English Islands in the West Indias with boards, 
Timber &c. for their buildings. Staves, Hoops, Horses, &c. 
for their Sugar Works ; as also Fish, Oyle, Butter, Candles, 
Soap, and other Provisions & Necessarys of life, without 
which they could not Possibly Subsist ; all of which Con- 
duces Very much to the Intrest and Advantage of its Mother 
Country, & will Doubtless (by the Favour of Heaven under 
ye Auspicious Influence & Conduct of so Wise & Powerful a 
Prince as his Present Maj^^^. King George and his Illustrious 
House) be rendered yet more Advantagious to her succeed- 
ing Generations." 



Unfortunately no unaltered copy of the first state of the 
Boston View is now known to exist. On September 17, 
1830, a poor copy was presented to the City of Boston by 
Judge John Davis, which was duly hung in this room, then 
the Mayor and Aldermen's Room, but was later removed to 
Johnson Hall on School Street, there remaining till it " was 
mislaid or lost in some way "in 1861, when the building was 
taken down to make way for the City Hall. 

The only copy now known is in the Crown Collection, 
British Museum, K. 120. 38a., and that is marred by addi- 
tions pasted upon it to correct it to 1736. It can be re- 
stored by simply soaking them off. It is in three sheets, 
joined in one, and is 24^ inches high by 52^ inches wide. 

The additions "51 Hollis Street Meeting built 1731" [the 
earliest view of the original Church], "52 Trinity Church 
founded 1734" [with square tower, "though it had no steeple 
and looked like a Presbyterian Meeting House "], "53 Lynde 
Street Meeting built 1736," are engraved labels pasted on to 
the original as are also " 10 South meeting house, built 1669 " 
[the new church of 1729 being shown, without correcting the 
reference], "20 the old meeting-house, built 1630" [shows 
the new church, built 17 12/13, ^^^ the new spire and gal- 
lery, 1727]. The additions to the Key, numbers 51, 52, 53, 
as above, are also on a slip pasted on, and " Printed Coulred 
& Sold by Wm. Price Print & Mapseller over against the 
Town house in Boston where may be had the Plan of the 
Town & great Variety of other prints & Mapps & Choice 
Lookinglasses & all sorts of Pictures framd," has been added 
but whether to print or plate is a question. 

A full size photographic reproduction, in an edition of 
twenty-five was issued by the late Mr. George Lamb of Cam- 
bridge in 1906. 

A restrike from the original plates was made in 1742/43 
by William Price, the surviving undertaker, who had already 
reissued the Burgis " Colledges." The corrections and addi- 
tions were undoubtedly made in America and probably by an 



lO 

amateur, as no attention was paid to the actual location of the 
places designated. It was dedicated by Price to Peter Faneuil, 
donor of Faneuil Hall, who died March 3, 1742/43. The key 
was enlarged to sixty references, and " W. Burgis Delin." 
and "I. Harris Sculp." left undisturbed. Of the restrike five 
copies are known, being in the possession of the American 
Antiquarian Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society, 
the Boston Public Library, the estate of Dr. James B. Ayer 
and Mr. Herbert Foster Otis of Brookline. A slightly cut- 
down reproduction of this state was made by lithography in 
1848 *• for E. Whitfield by A. Tompkins 38 Cornhill Boston " 
from the copy in possession of the second Mayor Quincy, 
now at the Public Library. This was reproduced in turn in 
the Albertype Process by the Forbes Company in 1880. The 
Antiquarian Society's copy, undoubtedly the finest known, 
is reproduced in the " Memorial History of Boston," vol. 2, 
p. 532, and in Miss Ayer's "Boston Common in Colonial and 
Provincial Days," is a reproduction of her father's copy. 

Another statement that is questionable is that the Price 
restrike of 1742/43 and the Bakewell restrike of 1746/47 
were pirated. In fact Bakewell and Price have been called 
" conscienceless picture pirates " by an eminent authority. 
But where is the proof .? If Bakewell had obtained posses- 
sion of the plate by purchase or quiet possession would its 
publication have been piracy.? John Harris, the engraver of 
both, was associated for many years with John Senex in the 
issue of maps and views including many of America. They 
both died about 1740. If the plates of the New York View 
had remained in Harris's possession, what was there to pre- 
vent Bakewell obtaining them lawfully .-* 

William Price, an eminently respectable Boston business 
man, whose shop for at least fifty years was "over against " 
or opposite the Town House, could hardly be so called. He 
was the pioneer church organist in English speaking America, 
playing in turn at King's Chapel and Christ Church. He 
furnished the plans for the Christ Church spire in 1740, 



II 

owned one-quarter of Trinity Church from 1735 to 1739, and 
was founder of the Price Fund, whose holdings in 19 14 
amounted to $515,000, Being the surviving undertaker of 
the Boston View of 1723, he had a perfect right to alter the 
plates in 1742/43, particularly when he did not erase the 
names of the delineator or engraver. 

Thomas Selby, his associate undertaker, died September 
19, 1727, as above stated, and the plates, or any interest in 
them, are not included in his inventory, and Burgis could not 
therefore get any interest in them from the estate. From 
the dedication of the view, only Selby and Price had any pro- 
prietorship, but even if Burgis had, twenty years quiet posses- 
sion would give Price rather a good title. 

As to the Prospect of the Colledges, 1726, restruck by 
Price after 1739, it should be noted that the first state was 
to be sold at " Mr. Price's Print-Seller," and that again thir- 
teen years quiet possession would give a good title. 

The first state of the Boston View is extensively adver- 
tised, for that period, in James Franklin's New England 
Courant, of which Benjamin Franklin was the publisher from 
February 11, 1722/23 till about September 30, 1723, though 
it carried his name till its end, June 4, 1726. Who com- 
posed the advertisements in the Courant and the description 
of Boston on the View is an interesting question. The ad- 
vertisements are as follows : — 

October 8, 1722. "A View of the Great Town of Boston 
taken from a Standing on Noddles Island, and designed to 
be cut on copper will be carried on by Subscription as such 
expensive Works generally are. Those Gentlemen that 
would encourage such a Design may see the View at Mr, 
Price's Print and Map-seller over against the Town House, 
where proposals are to be had and Subscriptions taken 
in." 

November 12, 1722. "Whereas there has been an adver- 
tisement lately published of a Design to print a View of this 



12 

Town of Boston, taken from Noddles Island, This is to cer- 
tify, that the Undertaker, William Burgis, desires all Gentle- 
men to be speedy in their Subscriptions, in order to send the 
Drawing to England this Fall, that he may conform to Pro- 
posals to that end lately published. N. B. — Sufficient Secu- 
rity is given to conform to the Conditions of the said Pro- 
posals or to return the Advance Money." 

May 13, 20, 27, 1723. "A Prospect of the Great Town 
of Boston taken from Noddles Island — and designed to be 
curiously cut on Copper Plate, will be carried on by Subscrip- 
tion, as such expensive Works commonly are. Those Gen- 
tlemen that would encourage this Design may subscribe to 
the same at Mr. Thomas Selby's at the Crown Coffee House 
where proposals may be seen. The price is set lower than 
at first, and those that do subscribe to this Prospect now will 
have it cheaper than those who do not. Subscriptions are 
also taken by William Price, Print and Map Seller, over 
against the Town House where the Prospect is to be seen : 
Where likewise you may have all sorts of Prints and Maps 
lately come from London, sold very cheap frames or with- 
out. N. B. No money to be advanced by the Subscribers 
but paid on the delivery of the printed copies. Those gen- 
tlemen who have subscribed to the former proposals will 
have their demands answered accordingly. The under- 
taker William Price desires all gentlemen to be speedy in 
their subscriptions, in order to the speedy sending of the 
drawifig for E?igland, for unless subscriptions come in it will 
not be printed." 

December 23, 30, 1723, January 6, 1723/24. "Whereas 
a North East Prospect of the great Town of Boston in New 
England, has been taken, which is not so much to Advan- 
tage as the South East Prospect, now to be seen at Mr. 
Price's, Print and Mapseller, over against the Town House : 
also Proposals for all Persons that are willing to subscribe 
for the same, in order to it being sent to London to be en- 
graved by the best hand." 



13 

These advertisements certainly prove that both the North 
East and the South East Prospects of Boston were drawn 
and on exhibition in Boston, the former October 8, 1722, 
and the latter December 23, 1723, and that it was the inten- 
tion of the undertakers (one of whom was William Burgis) 
to send them to London to be engraved. 

It is hardly true, however, that "of the artist William 
Burgis, absolutely nothing is known, — no facts can be dug 
out concerning the man or his life other than the trivial record 
left on the prints themselves." Here are a few shovelsfull, 
and many more can be found by digging in the right places. 
His first recorded appearance in Boston, so far known, was on 
November 12, 1722, as undertaker of the North East View of 
Boston. He must have been here some time before October 
8, however, as his North East View was then on exhibition at 
William Price's. He was married October i, 1728, by Mr. 
Henry Harris of King's Chapel, to Mehitable (Bill) Selby. 
She was the widow of Thomas Selby, associated with him in 
the Boston View, late Senior Warden of King's Chapel and 
proprietor of the Crown Coffee House, where Burgis resided, 
at the then head of Long Wharf, now 148 State Street, near 
Chatham Row, which is designated on the View. 

Mrs. Burgis had inherited ^^6^9-10-4 from Thomas Selby, 
had property in her own right, and was his administratrix. 
On July 4, 1729, the Selectmen of Boston, "On Petition for 
a licence to Sell Strong Drink as a Tavernor, Disallowed . . . 
William Burges in King Street," but reconsidered their action, 
for on July 23, 1729, "William Burges His Petition for a 
Tavernor at the Crown Coffee House &c be approved & Re- 
comed " to the Justices of the Court of General Sessions of 
the Peace who duly granted it. On January 5, 1729/30, 
William Burgis, Innholder, and Mehitable his wife, quitclaim 
their interest in an estate on Fish Street to Ferdinand Bowd. 
On July 15, 1730, "William Burges " was disallowed as a 
" Tavernor " in King Street by the Selectmen who allowed 
Edward Luthwich as a " Tavernor" " to Crown Coffy House." 



14 

The following from Court Files Suffolk and from the 
Records of the Court of Common Pleas, Suffolk County, 
Massachusetts, may be of interest. 

May 15, 1728, William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman, en- 
tered suit against William Randle, Boston, japanner, Agent, 
Factor or Attorney of John Greenwood of London, comb- 
maker, otherwise John Greenwood of London, now resident 
in Boston, N. E., as to bond ^100 sterling under the hands 
of said Greenwood, Apr. 8, 1723. On May 16, the summons 
was served on Randle, and a copy of the summons was left 
at "y® last place of John Greenwood's aboade while in this 
Province." A Declaration of Complaint was filed which 
stated that Greenwood, after deducting what Burgis owed 
him, was at all times to give and render to the said Burgis 
a just and true account "<?/" the neat proceeds of Certain 
Prints a Certain Note & some Copper Plates!' The Prints 
and Plates, could have been of the New York View. 

The case came up in the July Term, 1728, and an impar- 
lance was granted to Randle, as Attorney &c. for Greenwood, 
" the absent or absconding debtor!' It was eventually tried 
in the April Term, 1729, and Burgis '^ not appearing is non- 
suit!' the Defendant asking no costs. 

With Burgis's marriage his troubles began in earnest, and 
we find him constantly in the courts till his final departure 
from the town. 

Feb. II, 1728/9. William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman and 
Mehitable, his wife. Administratrix of her former husband, 
enter suit against Smith Woodward for balance of ^^7-4-0, 
though she allowed publicly he had paid it and declared, 
" Yes, he did poor man, I am afraid he will be wronged " 
&c. This was tried in the January Term and the verdict was 
against them, but they appealed. 

January Term, 1728/9. William Burgis, Boston, Gentle- 
man, and Mehitable, his wife, Adm^ sue Zecheriah Hubbard, 
feltmaker, on bond of June 24, 1727, for £,\lo, and obtained 
a verdict of the chancery of the same, £,^2-^-6 and costs. 



15 

January Term, 1728/9. William Burgis, Boston, Gentle- 
man, and Mehitable, his wife, Adm^ sue Thomas Creese Jr. 
apothecary, on bond of Mar. 8, 1725/6, ;;^I02. L. M. and 
recover same with costs. 

January Term, 1728/9. William Burgis, Boston, Gentle- 
man, and Mehitable, his wife, Adm^, Thomas Phillips, shop- 
keeper, and William Randle, japanner, sue Samuel Sewall, 
Judge of Probate, for false arrest as to their Bond, on Dec. 
24th last, and recover the costs. 

January Term, 1728/9. John Pitts, Boston, merchant, 
Adm^ of James Lindall, merchant, sues " William Burgis of 
Boston aforesaid Painter" and Mehitable, his wife, Adm^ on 
draft of A. Southmaid, Jan. 17, 17 17 12,, against Thomas Selby, 
for ;^45-i6-9, presented, accepted, but not paid. He re- 
covered the same with costs, execution was issued Jan. 31, 
1728/9. The Writ was returned not satisfied as defendants 
refused to show estate. In the October Term, 1729, Pitts 
asked for a Writ of Scire Facias, declaring that said Burgis 
and wife " had sufficient assetts of the s<i intestates to satisfy 
the same & have wasted the s"^ estate," and the Writ was 
granted. The case came up again the next Term but " the 
Plea or Accon was dismissed," no return having been made 
of the Service of the Writ. Pitts persisted, however, and in 
the October Term, 1730, recovered the same with costs, 
which his Attorney, William Stoddard, received from Mr. 
Thomas Phillips, Nov. 26, 1730, as by receipt in margin of 
the Court Record. In the July Term, Burgis and his wife 
appeared and declared that they had appeared in answer to 
Summons, when no " Accon " was entered and they were 
allowed costs. 

April Term, 1730. Proceedings were reversed and Wm. 
Burgis, Innholder, and Mehitable, his wife, Adm^ sue John 
Pitts Adm^ of James Lindall, merchant, for ;i^38-i4-7, by 
account annexed, as by book February 17 17. The account 
was signed in autograph. Mar. 18, 1729/30, " Wm. Burgis 
pro administratrix" Burgis and wife recovered same with 
costs, but Pitts appealed. 



i6 

January Term. 1728/29. Samuel Watts, Boston, inn- 
holder, Thomas Graves and Ann, his wife, Adm"^. of Edward 
Watts, late of Boston, inholder, sue " William B?irgis of Bos- 
ton afore s'^ Drafts ma Jt allias'] Innholder'' and Mehitable, his 
wife, Adm'^. of Thomas Selby, that said Selby perriwigg- 
maker, by bond of Sept. 7, 1726, was indebted to said Watts 
^400, L. M. which was not paid. The verdict was in favor 
of Watts et al, but the Burgises appealed. 

January Term. 1728/29, Jonathan Waldo, Boston, shop- 
keeper, sues William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman, and Mehit- 
able, his wife, Adm'^ , but recovers costs only. 

June 3, 1729-. Josiah Willard, Judge of Probate, enters suit 
against William Burgis, Gentleman and Mehitable, his wife, 
otherwise Mehitable Selby, widow, Thomas Phillips, shop- 
keeper, William Randall, japanner, all of Boston, on their 
bond of ;^4,ooo C. M. given Samuel Sewall, Judge of Pro- 
bate, Sept. 28, 1727. Their answer was a general denial and 
the verdict was in their favor with costs. Judge Willard 
appealed. According to the Registrar of Probate's certificate 
they had neglected to account for ;!^io88-5-io of the estate. 
In August, 1730, the Superior Court reversed the decision 
and awarded the shortage and costs to Judge Willard. On 
Sept. 21, 1730, Phillips and Randall enter suit against Wil- 
liam Burgis, Boston, innholder and Mehitable, his wife, 
Adm^ for ;^2000, on account of the above verdict, she 
having promised to remunerate them should they suffer. 
This was tried at the October Term. This "plea or accon " 
was commenced in April last but was continued to this time, 
" tke deft Wm being out of the Province at the time of com- 
meficement of the same," and now defaults. January Term 
1730/31, the case being ^^ continued unto this time by order of 
the Court, the Deft William being out of the Province at the 
time of Commencing this suit. And now the Plant^ not 
appearing are Nonsuit, & the Deft^ are allowed against the 
%^ Plant^ Costs of suit." In an endeavor to adjust matters, 
on Dec. 2, 1729, Wm. Burgis, Boston, Gentleman, and 



17 

Mehitable, his wife, grant to Thomas PhilHps and William 
Randall, house and land adjoining the Crown Coffee House, 
subject to the equity of a mortgage held by Mehitable Bill 
[Burgis] and North Ingram. It was acknowledged Feb. 21, 
1729/30 before Samuel Sewall, J. P., and received to be 
recorded Dec. 4, 1730, but is not found in Suffolk Deeds. 
In the January Term, 1731/32, Judge Willard asked for a 
Writ of Scire Facias, which was duly issued on Jan. 6, an- 
swerable at the February Term of the Superior Court. Bur- 
gis et al submitted their accounts with Thomas Selby, step- 
son of Mrs. Burgis, who was back of Judge Willard's suit 
and a certificate from him exonerating them, with the result 
that Judge Willard was allowed costs, which were paid Aug. 
7, 1732, by William Randall. 

July Term, 1729. Thomas Selby, minor, by his guardian 
John Powell, and David Melville, barber, and Jane his wife, 
(Thomas and Jane being children of Selby by a former wife) 
sue Robert Skinner, barber, in a plea of ejectment for house 
and land adjoining the Crown Coffee House, commenced in 
January Term, but continued so that Skinner could vouch 
in his Landlord, William Burgis, of Boston, Gentleman, and 
Mehitable, his wife, Adm? who defaulting, possession was 
granted. 

June 12, 1729. William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman and 
Mehitable, his wife, Adm? enter suit against Samuel Bill, 
Boston, butcher, for balance of account ;!^38-4-7, for rum, 
madeira, lime-juice, cyder &c. This was tried at the July 
Term and verdict for the same with costs was obtained by 
default. 

July Term, 1729. William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman, 
and Mehitable, his wife, Adm? sue John Tasker of Marble- 
head, for debt of ^35-19-0 as by account annexed, and 
obtained same with costs. Tasker appealed. 

Dec. 3, 1729. James Townsend, Boston, wine-cooper, 
enters suit against William Burgis, Boston, Innholder, for 
balance of ;^i4-ii-o for Madeira, Sept. 27-Nov. i, 1729, at 



i8 

yj6 per gallon, who recovered same with costs at the January 
Term, 1729/30 

Mar. 23, 1729/30. John Sale, Boston, innholder, sues 
William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman, and Mehitable, his wife, 
Adm'^ balance of account Mar. 1715/16-Sept. 17 19, cooper- 
age, ;;^8-9-io. The same was allowed him at the July Term, 
with costs. 

June 12, 1730. John Smith, Boston, merchant, entered 
suit against William Burgis, Boston, Gentleman, balance of 
account ^4g-i4-S, as by bill, August 25-November 18, 
1729, Bristol Beer &c. This was tried at the July Term 
and a verdict for Smith for the same and costs given. The 
record reads " T/ie Deft {after Entring up this Judgment) came 
into Court and appealed,'' unsuccessfully, however, for on 
September 17, 1730, execution was issued in favor of Smith 
for ;!^44-i3-7 and costs of ;^4- 17-30, which was duly re- 
turned by W. Nichols, February 11, 1730/31, endorsed "/ 
Jiave found neither person or estate and return it in no part 
satisfied by reson it came to late into my hands.'' As this 
was a personal suit of Burgis's and not one that Selby's estate 
could be called on to pay, the return is self-explanatory. 

The above return from the Court Files, and the following 
from the Council Record of Massachusetts, under date of 
July 26, 1736, show his disappearance from Massachusetts, 
as far as yet appears. 

"A Petition of Mehetable Burgess of Boston, setting forth 
that her Husband William Burgess having got what he could 
of her estate into his hands about five years since left her, 
and has never returned into the Province again, not taken 
the least care for her Support, and whether he be living or 
dead she knows not ; and therefore praying for a Divorce or 
that the marriage be declared void. Read & Dismiss'd." 
The original petition is not in the Archives and was probably 
withdrawn after the Dismissal. 

That the fault may have not been all one side, is sug- 
gested by these extracts from the Records of General Ses- 
sions of the Peace, July 26, 1731. 



19 

Mehitabel Burgis the Wife of William Burgis of Boston in 
the County of Suffolk Gent", being presented by the Grand 
Jury, for selling Strong Liquors in small Quantitys at Boston, 
afores'^ on or about the twelfth of June last and at Divers 
times before & after during the s*^ Month, not having License 
for so doing Contrary to the Peace Crowne Dignity of Our 
sovereign Lord the King & the Law in that Case made & 
provided The s'* Mehitabel Burgis appeared and pleaded 
Guilty. Ordered that the s"^. Mehitabel Burgis pay a fine of 
ten pounds to be disposed of as the Law directs or stand 
Committed close Prison unto his Majestys Goal for the Space 
of forty Dayes, &c pay Costs of Prosecution standing Com- 
mitted until this sentence be performed. 

" Mehitabel Burgis the wife of William Burgis of Boston in 
the County of Suffolk Gent" being presented by the Grand 
Jury, for that the s"^. Mehitabel hath for three Weeks last 
past & still doth continue to keep a disorderly house in Bos- 
ton in the County of Suffolk afores*^. by entertaining therein 
people at unseasonable times in the Night at divers times For 
this three Weeks last past by night & by day behave therein 
with frequent noises & Outcrys, to the great Terrour and 
disturbance of his Majestys subjects that live in the Neigh- 
borhood, And by further Entertaining idle and disorderly 
servants & Negroes, so that the said House is and has been 
for the time past a great Nuisance and disturbance to all his 
Majestys subjects thereabout inhabiting & Dwelling. All 
which is in evil example to the persons, & Contrary to the 
Peace, Crowne Dignity of Our sovereign Lord the King. The 
s^. Mehitabel Burgis appeared and pleaded Guilty. Ordered 
that the s"^. Mehitabel Burgis pay a fine of twenty shillings to 
the King & pay costs of Prosecution standing Committed 
until this sentance be performed." 

The following is a brief list of the engraved works with 
which William Burgis was associated. 

" A South Prospect of y^ Flourishing City of New York in 
the Province of New York in North America " ; dedicated to 



20 

"His Excellency Robert Hunter Esq""." by "William Bur- 
gis " ; date 1717 in Province Arms; " W. Burgis Deli* et 
Excud* Subscriptione Incolarum — I. Harris fee"; size 28 
inches high by 78 inches wide ; only two copies generally 
known as before mentioned. 

Same, restrike ; with additions and corrections ; rededi- 
cated to " His Excellency, George Clinton Esq""." by " Thomas 
Bakewell" ; date 1747 in Province Arms, though published 
Mar. 25, 1746; "W. Burgis Deli*" &c. erased from the 
plate, "I. Harris fee." ; only four copies generally known as 
before mentioned. 

" A South East View of y^ Great Town of Boston in New 
England in America " ; dedicated to the " Honi'^ie Sam': Shute 
Esq^" by " Tho^ Selby Will"^. Price"; drawn in 1723; 
" W. Burgis Delin. — I. Harris Sculp."; no copy at present 
known. 

Same, with engraved additions and corrections pasted on ; 
" Printed Coulred & sold by Wm. Price " &c. ; probable date 
1736 ; only one copy known, as before mentioned. 

Same, restrike ; with engraved additions and corrections ; 
rededicated to " Peter Faneuil Esq^" by "W'". Price " ; issued 
1742/3 ; " W. Burgis Delin. — I. Harris Sculp." ; only five 
copies known, as before mentioned. 

" A Prospect of the Colledges in Cambridge in New En- 
gland " ; dedicated "To the Honourable William Dummer 
Esq""." by " W. Burgis"; issued July 14, 1726; no delinea- 
ator or engraver given ; size i8f inches high by 24! inches 
wide ; only known copy at Massachusetts Historical Society. 
It was found under a re-strike of the same when removing it 
from the board on which it was mounted. This was evi- 
dently intended to be out for Commencement, July 6th, but 
was a week late. It was advertised in the Neivslctter of July 
14, 1726, as "This Day is Published a Prospect of the Col- 
leges in Cambridge in New England, curiously Engraven in 
Copper ; and are to be Sold at Mr. Price's Print seller, over 
against the Town-House, Mr. Randal, the Japanner in Ann 



21 

Street by Mr. Stedman in Cambridge, and the Book-sellers 
of Boston " and was followed on July 21 and 28 as " Lately 
Published " &c. 

Same, restrike ; with corrections and additions ; rededi- 
cated " To the Honourable Spencer Phipps" by " W"". Price"; 
issued after Commencement, 1739; copies in possession of 
the Massachusetts Historical Society, Harvard College Li- 
brary, Library of Congress and Mr. William Loring Andrews 
of New York. 

"A Draught of the Meeting-House of the Old Church in 
Boston, with the New Spire & Gallery"; issued June 5, 
1727 ; no copy known. Assumed to be a Burgis production 
from association. It is the earliest separate view of the " Old 
Brick " Meeting House of the First Church, then on the site 
of the Rogers Building, and probably inspired the woodcut 
of the same published in 1736. It was advertised in the 
New England Weekly Journal oi June 5, 1727, as "This Day 
is Published A Draught of the Meeting-House of the Old 
Church in Boston, with the New Spire & Gallery & are to be 
Sold by Mr. Price, over against the Town-House and at the 
Book-sellers shops in Boston," and on June 12, as "Lately 
Published " &c. 

"Plan of Boston in New-England"; issued about July 3, 
1729; dedicated to "His Excellency William Burnet Esq''." 
by "Will Burgiss " ; "Engraven by Tho^ lohnson Boston 
N. E." ; loi inches high by i^l inches wide; only three 
copies known, in possession of Dr. J. Collins Warren, of Bos- 
ton, Mr. R. T. H. Halsey of New York and the Library of 
Congress. There has been considerable discussion about the 
date of issue, but it should be settled by the following from 
the Newsletter, July 3, 10, 17, 1729: "Lately Published, A 
New Plan of the Town of Boston, and are to be Sold at the 
Crown Coffee-House, and by the Booksellers in Town and 
Country." Burgis's license for the Crown Coffee House 
was then under consideration by the Selectmen. 



22 

[Boston Light] ; " To the Merchants of Boston this View of 
the Light House is most humbly presented By their Humble 
Serv^ W™. Burgis " ; issued Aug. ii, 1729; " W. Burgis 
del. & fecit " ; copies in possession of the United States 
Light House Board and in private hands. It was engraved 
in " Mezzotinto," possibly the second plate so done in New 
England and is the only known work that carries Burgis's 
name as an engraver. It was advertised in the New England 
Weekly Journal, Aug. 4, 1729, "On Monday next will be 
published a view of the Light-House in Mezzotinto, To be 
sold at the Crown Coffe-House, and at Mr. Price's by the 
Town-House" and was followed on the Monday next, Aug. 
II, 1729, "This Day published" &c. 

" View of the New Dutch Church . . . founded A. D. 1727 
and finish'^ A. D. 173 1 " ; dedicated "To the Honourable Rip 
Van Dam Esq^ President of His Majestys Council for the 
Province of New York" by " W"™. Burgis" ; issued 1731/2 ; 
no delineator or engraver given; size 9! inches high by 14 
inches wide ; only two copies known, one of which is in pos- 
session of Mr. William Loring Andrews of New York. Bur- 
gis had then left Boston. Rip Van Dam Esq'"., as President 
of the Council, presided over the destinies of New York from 
the death of Governor John Montgomerie, July i, 1731, until 
the arrival of his successor, William Cosby, August i, 1732. 

In conclusion I wish to thank Mr. Frederick Lewis Gay 
of Brookline, Mr. I. N. Phelps Stokes of New York City, 
Messrs. Robert Kelby and A.J. Wohlhagen of the New York 
Historical Society, Mr. Frank B. Bigelow of the New York 
Society Library, and Mr. Albert C. Bates of the Connecticut 
Historical Society, for their kind assistance in the preparation 
of this paper. 



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